Persian Journal of Acarology

Abstract The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a significant pest that impacts greenhouse, vegetable, and ornamental crops globally. Historically, pesticides have been utilized to control this pest, however there are apprehensions regarding their frequent use. Consequently, plant essential oils have emerged as a potential pesticide substitute, generating considerable attention in pest management. The essential oils were obtained via water distillation using a Clevenger apparatus. Their efficacy against different developmental stages of T. urticae was assessed using a vapor-phase mortality method that did not require direct contact. The repellent and fumigant toxicity of the essential oils were also examined on adult mites. Based on GC-MS analysis the main components of Perovskia abrotanoides, Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia sahendica, Satureja hortensis, and Thymus daenensis essential oils were menthol, verbenone, α-pinene, carvacrol, and thymol, respectively. The acaricidal activity of the vital oils followed a dose-dependent manner. Essential oil from T. daenensis was more toxic against adults of T. urticae (LC₅₀ =1.21µl/L air and essential oil from S. hortensis was more toxic against larvae (LC₅₀ = 2.48µl/L air) and eggs (LC₅₀ = 6.48 µl/L air) of T. urticae, respectively. Results of the repellency assay showed that essential oils of S. hortensis had the highest repellency against adults of T. urticae.